Network Switches

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2810806

Thanks very much @deep_333 ! 

I found what i hope are equivalent devices on Amazon (bowing to tax, shipping and return issues). I’m going to try this out.

I’m also tempted to do this for the reason @erik_squires mentions. I could build two “moats”: one between modem and router and then one just before the M33.

good listening, everyone!

Not sure how expensive a system it would take to notice differences in Ethernet switches. I have a $30 gigabit switch on a Bluesound 2I and it sounds great. I have about a 10k system. I have heard much more expensive systems that are on better steamers and better Internet but not worth to me a lot of dollars more with a slight improvement. If you have the $$$ go for it and enjoy.

Mswale-I agree with you. I was doing enterprise networks in 1990, doing token ring, Ethernet, and AppleTalk. I learned and mastered the Network General’s Sniffer where I could look at what was going on in each network. I could see the whole IP packet with all the associated metadata. 

When somebody tells you they modified the structure of an IP packet, that’s BS. If you do this nothing will work. When dealing with data, the standard mtu is 1500 bytes. When I was streaming large database data, I was using jumbo frames which increased efficiency in a WAN environment. If I was doing 4K streaming I would try using jumbo packets, but for music, the standard mtu is fine.

1 more thing, there is nothing to a switch, it forwards packets to a destination which can be another switch, router, or a device. Do a trace route to see how many hops you go thru getting to tidal/qobuz/google.

All the work happens on both ends of the route, not the switch itself. My switch is more of an enterprise switch where it doesn’t use a wall wart, and I’m using a few hundred $$ power cable into the switch

I also agree with the poster that i2s is the best interface. My streamers job is to change the signal path from Ethernet coming in to i2s going out.

Apologies FOR not reading all of the responses (arguments).  A good network switch, placed before your streamer, IMHO, makes a considerable improvement in digital sound.  Those that refute this, IMHO, either have not heard it, can not hear it, or do not want to believe it.  As said, a $500 unit (I have had both Ether Regen and EE Bonn 8, makes a modest improvement.  A unit like the Network Acoustics Switch, the Telegartner (JCAT), or the GTT DeJitterit, makes a significant improvement.  I have tried all three and own both the GTT and the JCAT Gold.  Ignore naysayers if you want the best sound.  Buy a switch you can return to try.  NA makes this easy.  Also power supplies do really matter, and any good switch needs  a good LPS.  Additionally, the last network cable entering your steamer matters.  Try a good one, or even better, use a Network Acoustics Muon or Eno Ethernet filter between your switch and steamer, which includes a great streaming cable.  

Synergistic Research has one of the best Ethernet hubs and cables. Good independent reviews online. Can buy used around 2K. If you are streaming a lot and have a good system, it is well worth it.